Advise regarding relocation/living expenses in New Jersey

[pinkydapimp]

Originally Posted by asha123

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

i) I understand that it will be difficult to completely get away from urban areas. I am focusing on Secaucus or Jersey city heights to have relatively more open areas/parks near the apartment and still have 30-45 minutes commute to Hoboken. Are there any other residential areas/gated communities that fit the above criteria?
Further, I am planning to initially rent for 6 months and then look for more suitable housing while I am there. I find that most of the good short-term (and also long term) apartment lease options involve brokers. Is there any other website/resource that I can use to avoid paying broker fees?

ii) I have visited Hoboken once; liked it for its old world charm. I haven't visited Jersey city heights area but heard that its better than Jersey/Union city. Agree, it will be a bit of cultural shock; more so for my wife as she is more accustomed to midwestern life. Thats why I am looking at smaller towns near Hoboken.

iii) I thought the apartment rent in NJ area includes utilities like heat/water. Please correct me if I am wrong?

iv) Currently, we spend 500$/month for grocery here in midwest and mostly we don't go out for eating. I assumed that food expenses will be the same in NJ if not cheaper.

Thanks once again for your help.

So not all apartments include utilities. It really all depends. Also note. NJ Transits line runs through many towns in NJ and many places have a direct train to hoboken. So you could look at a suburb and get much more space and still have a decent commute via the train to Hoboken. Something to consider.

Good luck and welcome to NJ!

[asha123]

Thank you all. Your advise has helped me to get a much better understanding of the "ground situation".

One of the members mentioned that "towns 30 miles out from hoboken can still be within a 45 minute drive/train ride to hoboken."

I am curious to know the traffic situation in that area during office times (morning and evenings). I plan to use my car (most of the year) and train (during harsh weather) for commuting. Is it possible to commute from these smaller towns (30 miles away) by car within 45 min?

[pinkydapimp]

Originally Posted by asha123

Thank you all. Your advise has helped me to get a much better understanding of the "ground situation".

One of the members mentioned that "towns 30 miles out from hoboken can still be within a 45 minute drive/train ride to hoboken."

I am curious to know the traffic situation in that area during office times (morning and evenings). I plan to use my car (most of the year) and train (during harsh weather) for commuting. Is it possible to commute from these smaller towns (30 miles away) by car within 45 min?

Driving into hoboken would be problematic because you would be dealing with all the other traffic going into NYC. This is why people take the train. Not to mention you would have to pay for parking. I definitely would not recommend driving. That would be the worst option.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by pinkydapimp

Driving into hoboken would be problematic because you would be dealing with all the other traffic going into NYC. This is why people take the train. Not to mention you would have to pay for parking. I definitely would not recommend driving. That would be the worst option.

For anyone living in Hoboken or commuting to Hoboken, a car is more of a liability than an asset.

[asha123]

Thank you all for your advise. I will keep it mind.